*This story will be updated as the Now-Leader finds out about more events.
As the province has banned gatherings of more than 50 people, more and more events are being cancelled or postponed, while some places are closing down indefinitely.
READ ALSO: ‘It’s going to be hard’: B.C. bans gatherings of 50+ people to slow COVID-19 transmission, March 16, 2020
The move to cancel any gatherings of more than 50 people is meant to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the decision aligns with what is being done in parts of the United States.
READ ALSO: World Health Organization declares COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, March 11, 2020
For more stories related to COVID-19 and coronavirus, visit surreynowleader.com/tag/coronavirus.
CLOSED:
• The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions “by mutual consent”
READ ALSO: Canada-U.S. border closing to non-essential travel, March 18, 2020
• The City of Surrey has closed all of its recreation facilities until further notice, but city hall, operations, animal control, cemetery services and emergency services will remain open
READ ALSO: City of Surrey to close all recreational facilities due to COVID-19 concerns
• Surrey Centre MP Randeep Sarai has closed his constituency office to the public “due to the ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus.” He can still be contacted at 604-589-2441 or randeep.sarai@parl.gc.ca.
• The Cloverdale Flea Market has been closed indefinitely, following the provincial government’s announcement to ban gatherings of more than 250 people.
Organizers say the weekly event sees about 2,000 people on an average Sunday.
READ ALSO: Cloverdale Flea Market shuttered indefinitely, March 13, 2020
• Relate Church has closed its buildings, but will be moving its Sunday services online. Village Church will be moving its Sunday services online for the next few weeks.
• Whistler will be shutting down for the rest of the season, with the decision to reopen coming in April or May
READ ALSO: Whistler shuts down for rest of 2019/20 season due to COVID-19, March 17, 2020
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that national parks and national historic sites will be suspending all visitor services, starting Wednesday (March 18)
READ ALSO: National parks closing visitor services tomorrow, March 17, 2020
• Cineplex and Landmark are closing down until April 2
• The City of White Rock has closed some of its civic facilities
READ ALSO: City of White Rock shuts down some civic facilities amid COVID-19 concern, March 16, 2020
• The BC Vintage Truck Museum is closing until further notice
CANCELLED:
• BC Ferries continues to cancel select sailings between Vancouver and Victoria
READ ALSO: BC Ferries cancels sailings between Vancouver, Victoria, March 16, 2020
• Events with more than 50 attendees hosted by the City of Surrey will be cancelled until further notice.
Previously, the city had cancelled events with more than 250 attendees.
“I know this step will impact many people, but this decision has been made in the best interests of those who live, work, or visit Surrey,” said Mayor Doug McCallum at the time of the 250-person event cancellations.
“I want to assure you that City staff will be continually assessing the situation and will take appropriate measures when the risk level change. We are in extraordinary times and I strongly encourage everyone to do their part to mitigate the risk of exposure or transmission of the Coronavirus.”
As of Tuesday (March 17), 20 events had been cancelled and four events have been cancelled “until further notice.
• The province has suspended kindergarten to Grade 12 indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ ALSO: B.C. to suspend K-12 schools due to COVID-19, March 17, 2020
• The 2020 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade, which was scheduled for April 25 in Newton, has been cancelled until further notice.
Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, the organizers, have been “closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 in our region,” according to a release Thursday (March 12).
READ ALSO: Surrey Vaisakhi Parade cancelled amid COVID-19 outbreak, March 12, 2020
• Surrey’s Party for the Planet has been cancelled “until further notice,” according to a tweet Friday.
• The Surrey Board of Trade is cancelling or postponing the remainder of its March events.
In a tweet Wednesday morning (March 11), SBOT said it has made “the very difficult decision” to postpone or cancel all March events.
That includes Thursday’s sold-out Surrey Women in Business Award, which was to feature Erin Brockovich.
The board of trade says it will let guests know when the events are rescheduled.
“The Surrey Board of Trade will monitor the situation closely and assess next steps as it relates to April and May events and meetings,” said Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade.
The Surrey Board of Trade has made the very difficult decision to postpone or cancel all March events. This includes the Surrey Women in Business Awards, scheduled to take place tomorrow. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.
— SurreyBoardofTrade (@SBofT) March 11, 2020
• The Surrey school district cancelled all of its international trips for the rest of the school year. Previously, the district had only cancelled trips to Italy, Japan and France.
“Everything’s been cancelled, just in light of the current situation,” said district spokesperson Ritinder Matthew. “Our students would return and be quarantined for two weeks.”
READ ALSO: All international student trips have been cancelled amid COVID-19 pandemic: Surrey Schools, March 13, 2020
READ ALSO: Coronavirus causes Surrey Schools to cancel trips to Italy, Japan and France, March 3, 2020
• Surrey-based All Star Wrestling has postponed its March 28 event, dubbed “Street Justice,” originally scheduled to be held at the Maritime Labour Centre in Vancouver. “Owing to our relationship and dedication to our fans, the decision to cancel any scheduled date is a difficult one, and weighed very heavily not on the economic considerations, but instead the health and wellness of our fans, wrestlers and staff,” administrator Michelle Starr posted to the organization’s Facebook page.
• Surrey-based BC Tigers soccer club has cancalled all club programs as of Friday, March 13th until further notice. “Due to rising cases of COVID-19 in our community, local school shutdowns and safety of our members, children and families all Club programs postponed until further notice,” the club tweeted on March 12.
• The NHL has suspended its 2019-20 season, starting Thursday (March 12). There were 10 games scheduled for that evening.
• The Vancouver Sun Run, the third largest 10K in North America, has been cancelled the event, as the organizers feel it’s in “the best interest of our participants.”
• BC Hockey has cancelled all provincials and playoffs until further notice, and Hockey Canada has also cancelled its activities and national championships.
READ ALSO: BC Hockey cancels all provincial championships due to COVID-19 outbreak, March 12, 2020
POSTPONED:
• Sources has postponed its Run for the Roses Gala at Hazelmere Golf and Country Club. The event was scheduled for April 25.
Tickets and table reservations will remain in place for the event.
READ ALSO: Sources’ South Surrey gala postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic, March 12, 2020
• South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce has rescheduled its Campbell Heights Business Growth and Opportunities event. It was to feature Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum.
Initially, there was just supposed to be a venue change.
READ ALSO: COVID-19 concerns chamber to reschedule South Surrey business event, March 9, 2020
• Surrey Centre MP Randeep Sarai’s “Chai with Sarai” scheduled for March 14 at Guildford Rec Centre has been postponed to a later date. A new date has not yet been set.
lauren.collins@surreynowleader.comLike us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram and follow Lauren on Twitter
